Macro function block for encapsulating device-level embedded logic

• US 9,134,720 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shah, Harsh, Majcher, Gregory A., Feng, Jian, Jia, Qing, Song, Tao, Wei, Zhen, Joe, James Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Mamo, Elias
• Application Number:
  US12/895,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20110202688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,811 Days
• Field of Search: 715/704
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/045 using logic state machines, consisting only of a memory or a programmable logic device containing the logic for the controlled machine and in which the state of its outputs is dependent on the state of its inputs or part of its own output states, e.g. binary decision controllers, finite state controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23274 Link graphical data for display automatically into program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25232 DCS, distributed control system, decentralised control unit
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

The present invention provides techniques for encapsulating device-level embedded logic into user-defined instructions using configuration software. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments enable add-on instructions for device configuration embedded logic. Programming interfaces specific to an application or device may be combined into a single instruction as a reusable Macro component that may be reused in the same or different applications or devices.

Claims

1. A method for distributed control of a process, comprising:

accessing a macro creation module in a design environment;

accessing a plurality of function blocks configured to execute desired arithmetic and/or logical operations based upon inputs to generate outputs, wherein the inputs and outputs comprise at least one Boolean input or output and at least one analog input or output;

creating a macro through manipulation of graphical representations of the function blocks displayed via the macro creation module in the design environment to encapsulate multiple function blocks of the plurality of function blocks into a single set of add-on instructions, wherein at least one of the inputs and at least one of the outputs of the multiple function blocks are mapped to inputs and outputs of the macro;

configuring the macro for a particular automation process;

downloading the macro into a low-level distributed automation device; and

storing the macro for subsequent use as the single set of add-on instructions in another design environment to configure another low-level distributed automation device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the function blocks comprise non-transitory code configured in an object oriented programming language.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the low-level distributed automation device is an input/output terminal block.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the low-level distributed automation device is a push-button block.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the low-level distributed automation device is a relay.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the low-level distributed automation device is a motor drive or motor starter.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the macro comprises configuring at least one memory register from which the function blocks read at least one input.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the macro comprises configuring at least one memory register to which the function blocks write at least one output.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein during operation, the low-level distributed automation device is coupled to an automation controller via a network, but receives at least one input and generates at least one output based upon the macro without command from the automation controller.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the macro is created on a configuration station in the design environment.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising uploading the macro from the low-level distributed automation device to a configuration station.

12. A low-level distributed automation control device, comprising:

a memory circuit storing a macro comprising a plurality of function blocks configured to execute desired arithmetic and/or logical operations based upon inputs to generate outputs, the macro being configured for a particular automation process, wherein the inputs and outputs comprise at least one Boolean input or output and at least one analog input or output, and wherein the macro is configured by a macro creation module storing the macro for subsequent use as a single set of add-on instructions during subsequent configuration of other low-level distributed automation control devices;

a processor configured to execute the macro; and

an interface configured to output an output based upon the macro executed by the processor;

wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is an input/output terminal block, a push-button block, a relay, a motor drive, or a motor starter.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the input/output terminal block.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the push-button block.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the relay.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the motor drive or motor starter.

17. A distributed control system, comprising:

a low-level distributed automation control device comprising a memory circuit storing a macro comprising a plurality of function blocks configured to execute desired arithmetic and/or logical operations based upon inputs to generate outputs, the macro being configured for a particular automation process, a processor configured to execute the macro, and an interface configured to output an output based upon the macro executed by the processor, wherein the inputs and outputs comprise at least one Boolean input or output and at least one analog input or output, and wherein the macro is configured by a macro creation module storing the macro for subsequent use as a single set of add-on instructions during subsequent configuration of other low-level distributed automation control devices; and

an automation controller coupled to the low-level distributed automation control device via a network;

wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is configured to communicate with the automation controller via the network, but receives the inputs and outputs the generated outputs without command from the automation controller, and wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is an input/output terminal block, a push-button block, a relay, a motor drive, or a motor starter.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the input/output terminal block.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the push-button block.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the relay.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the low-level distributed automation control device is the motor drive or motor starter.